Research Education and Activities for Classroom Teachers is an event where grade school teachers from around Michigan can come and attend workshops to participate in materials science labs that they can then take back to their respective classrooms. Peter helped develop and run the “Introduction to Composite Materials” demo at REACT, where students (teachers) made their own composite concrete mixtures and tested the mechanical properties. The goal of the lab is to get students thinking about how different reinforcement materials can impart different properties into the composites and about how to optimize a material for a given application.

Xplore Engineering is an outreach event designed for alumni and the children in their life entering the 4th through 7th grade. Through a series of experiential workshops, participants get hands-on experience in a variety of engineering disciplines.

Through the materials science department, Peter helped run the eXtraordinary Materials workshop where kids got to investigate the structure of common materials through optical and electron microscopy and learn about how materials can behave unexpectedly at really hot or really cold temperatures. Demos included heating a space shuttle tile with a blowtorch, heating an iron wire and observing the high temperature phase change, and cooling rubber through the glass transition temperature with liquid nitrogen so it becomes more brittle and eventually shatters.

Brandi is a rising senior at Cal Poly Pomona studying physics with an emphasis in optics. At her home campus, she conducts research on biconically tapered optical fibers used in biological sensing applications. She is at the University of Michigan this summer to participate in a NSF funded REU hosted by the Center of Photonics and Multiscale Nanomaterials. While not doing research, Brandi enjoys exploring Ann Arbor, reading in the park or eating great food.

Brandi is working with Peter on the investigation of spintronic phenomena in chalcogenide thin films.

Sai is a senior studying Materials Sciences and Engineering and minoring in Physics. Currently, she works with the synthesis and characterization of high entropy oxides. Previously, she worked with Professor Charles McCrory on the synthesis and characterization of various mixed metal oxides. In her free time she enjoys cooking, running, and long walks to the Dude.

Sai is working with Peter on bulk synthesis and deposition of High Entropy Oxides

Congratulations to Thomas on graduation and your new position. This past year, Thomas has been doing great work with Peter on the synthesis of High Entropy Oxides. We are sorry to see you go, but excited for your success and a little jealous that you get to live in San Diego.